Jackson tribute 'badly organised'

The mayor of Vienna has admitted that the Michael Jackson tribute concert that was expected to be held in Austria's capital was badly organised.

Mayor Michael Haupl told the city's council the show would have been "very interesting... had it been properly prepared and organised but it was not".

Organisers cancelled the planned 26 September concert after struggling to find major stars to perform.

A replacement show has been planned for June next year, in London.

Vienna authorities had initially agreed to subsidise the tribute at Schönbrunn Palace and planned to give organisers 600,000 euros (£550,000) after city experts estimated the event's advertising value to be around 35m euros (£32.1m).

But the funding was pulled on 11 September when the concert's organisers - led by Michael Jackson's brother, Jermaine - failed to present the "top stars" promised to perform at the event.

Short notice

Vice Mayor Renate Brauner said, at the time: "The advertising value is unlikely to be as high as we had initially expected it to be. We will call off all talks with the organisers."

Later the same day, the concert was cancelled - with Jermaine Jackson admitting "numerous stars were just not able to change their schedules" at such short notice.

Organisers also blamed the Austrian media for the cancellation, saying it viewed the line-up as "B-List" artists, who were "made fun of and generally disrespected".

Artists Mary J Blige, Chris Brown, Natalie Cole, Sister Sledge and Akon had originally been announced as performers, however plans were dealt a blow when representatives for Blige, Brown and Cole later said none of the three would be performing.

World Tribute Productions said they were hoping to hold the rescheduled concert at Wembley Stadium.

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